Concert Review: Fans embrace Creed with open arms at Fillmore in Detroit

DAMIEN DENNIS

Published
12:00 am EDT, Friday, June 1, 2012

DETROIT -- Creed fans packed into the Fillmore Detroit on Thursday night, May 31, with "arms wide open." And legs that did not want to be seated.

So not surprisingly, the faithful took it upon themselves to fold up their chairs and move them aside late in the show, unbridling the energy that routinely comes with the Florida hard rockers' performances.

Thursday was the final night of the first leg of Creed's North American tour and featured the group's multiplatinum 1999 sophomore album "Human Clay," in its entirety. That allowed the group to kick things off with the heavyweight opening track "Are You Ready?" which brought the crowd to its feet after a tepid response to the night's two opening bands.

Despite its well-documented internal struggles, Creed played with a surprising energy and chemistry that indicated the problems have been consigned to the past. Vocalist Scott Stapp and guitarist Mark Tremonti in particular had smiles on their faces through the entire set. Stapp rarely broke from the music to speak with the crowd; when he did, he asked fans if they were ready for an adventure to find their true selves or join him in a journey about life.

Halfway through the set, Stapp introduced "With Arms Wide Open," referring to the Grammy Award Creed won for the song. It was the first real moment of true fan involvement, with everyone singing along and sometimes drowning out Stapp.

The last five songs of the set were energetic, as Creed broke into the title track from its debut album, "My Own Prison" before encoring with "One Last Breath" and "My Sacrifice."

The group certainly sent their fans home with smiles and their faces. After so many years and hiccups in the bands career, Creed still seems to have what it takes to show why it's a Grammy-winning group.

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